Academy plans to be part boarding school within two years is facing green belt hurdle

But one residents' group says it should have been given more chance to comment.

Consultation on the plan to have children boarding at Harefield Academy in Northwood Way ends on January 9. There was a meeting on

November 19, billed 'for public and parents' but many people did not know about it.

Principal Lynn Gadd agreed the publicity could have been wider, but explained: "The consultation at the moment is only about whether people think it's a good idea for us to have boarders. It's not about the planning issues yet."

Pauline Crawley, chairwoman of Harefield Tenants' and Residents' Association, said she had received a personal e-mail invitation to the meeting but was unable to go because of the short notice.

She said: "There was some disquiet among members when we last met, which I could understand, as the school is hoping to create a residential building on Green Belt land.

"We do support the school, but as a residents' association we also try and adhere to environmental policies.

"Mrs Gadd came to talk to us about the idea of a boarding house some time ago, which we appreciated.

"However, the rest of the public should have been given a chance to go along to the meeting."

Mrs Gadd added: "Everyone in the village will be involved and there will be many opportunities to talk about the location of the building. The next stage (if it is agreed in principle) is what it will look like, where it will go on site and how it is managed."

Jamie Shephard, 15, has been at the school since he was 11 years old.

He lives in the Hampton Court area and faces a two hour journey by public transport to get to school.

He said: "Boarding would really have been good for me. I don't think having boarders will be a problem for the village as there will be enough teachers to keep them supervised and there are strict rules here anyway."